Excellent if technical in parts

This is a brilliant theological account of Augustine and his works. Augustine is so important to a recovery of a sound theology, and Williams is a great guide that both gets him in his time, and can bring his ideas cleanly into modern theology. If I had any criticism it would be that a couple of chapters are quite technical in a way that theology and philosophy often can be, and personally (perhaps due to my ignorance) this can seem unnecessarily so. However the majority of the book is clear and insightful.

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Very good, but with a note ;)

The book, its author and topic are very good. Only EVERYONE should keep in mind that this is not an elementary-level introduction to Augustine, but serious work. To really appreciate it, I listened to some chapters several times.

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Interesting

This book is an interesting concept. The former Archbishop of Canterbury is trying, seemingly desperately, to rejuvenate interest in Augustine the Priest through Augustine the Philosopher and at the same time give context to Augustine's works in a manner that the modern audience can understand without having depth into any one book.

I personally do not believe in God, however Augustine's writing have had a massive impact on the west and understanding him helps understand the west.

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A Niche Book For A Specialised Target Audience

If you already have a deep knowledge of St. Augustine's writings, of modern criticisms of those writings and of philosophy, Christology and theology in general, and above all, are a Christian, then I've no doubt that reading this book will be an incredibly enriching experience. But as an Atheist with only a basic understanding of philosophy and theology who just wanted to know the basics regarding Augustine's contribution to Christian thought, (specifically, why his writings are considered to be 'The Next Great Leap' in Christian thinking,) I was lost from pretty much the first moment I began reading and soon gave up hope of grasping more than the most superficial meaning.

Indeed, having already mentioned modern criticisms of Augustine's writings, a great deal of this book reads like a rebuttal of books and theses that I've never even heard of, let alone read. And having been written by a former Archbishop, much of the rest reads like a sermon, intended to reinforce a faith which I simply do not have.

And then of course, there are the parts where being an Atheist is a genuine road block; the parts which, in my faithless, heathen mind, essentially read as "If we assume that Invisible Unicorns are Pink, then that causes a massive, faith shattering contradiction. However, Augustine argued that they are Purple. And so if we agree with him, then the problem with believing in Invisible Unicorns ceases to exist."

Which, I hasten to add, is not to belittle anyone's faith. Instead, I simply want to emphasise that this book has an 'INCREDIBLY' specific and niche target audience. And if you don't fall into all of the categories that I specified above, then you may as well save your money and/or time.

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2 people found this helpful